Christmas Riddim (2005) – Richard Cha Su Ahong

Richard Cha Su Ahong’s Christmas Riddim leans into the seasonal side of dancehall with a playful, slightly soca-tinged feel, but it still keeps enough yard energy to avoid sounding like background holiday music. Denise Belfon’s “Joy” is the one that jumps out first, riding the riddim with real personality, while Ginger’s Christmas medley folds in “O Come All Ye Faithful, ” “Silent Night, ” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” for a more familiar festive touch. Elsewhere, General Grant’s “House 2 House” and Ziggy Rankin’s “Caroline” keep the tracklist moving with proper party footing, and the producer even locks in both an instrumental and a mix version of the riddim. Released in 2005, it sits in that sweet spot where Christmas music still had to work in the dance.